Boston Cop Granted New Chance in Lawsuit Against Online Gun Marketplace

Federal appeals court finds evidence Armslist LLC deliberately targeted New Hampshire, allowing officer's case to proceed.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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A former Boston police officer, Kurt Stokinger, has been granted a second chance to sue the online gun marketplace Armslist LLC. The US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit found evidence that Armslist deliberately directed its activities at New Hampshire, where the shooting occurred, allowing Stokinger's lawsuit to move forward in a federal court located there.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles over the liability of online platforms that facilitate the sale of firearms, especially in cases where those firearms are used to harm others. The court's ruling opens the door for Stokinger to potentially hold Armslist accountable for its role in the shooting that injured him.

The details

Stokinger was shot while on duty in New Hampshire. He is suing Armslist, an online gun marketplace, alleging the company deliberately directed its activities at the forum state, making it subject to personal jurisdiction there. The appeals court agreed, finding evidence that Armslist's website and business model were designed to attract buyers and sellers from across the country, including New Hampshire.

  • The shooting incident occurred in New Hampshire.
  • Stokinger initially filed the lawsuit against Armslist in federal court.
  • The US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit issued its ruling on February 6, 2026, granting Stokinger a second chance to proceed with his case.

The players

Kurt Stokinger

A former Boston police officer who was shot while on duty in New Hampshire and is suing the online gun marketplace Armslist LLC.

Armslist LLC

An online gun marketplace that facilitated the sale of the firearm used to shoot Stokinger.

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What’s next

The case will now return to the federal district court, where Stokinger will have to prove that Armslist's contacts with New Hampshire were sufficient to establish personal jurisdiction.

The takeaway

This ruling demonstrates the potential for holding online marketplaces accountable for their role in enabling the sale of firearms that are later used to cause harm, even if the platform itself is not located in the same state where the incident occurred.